#34 - Les Gets World Cup: Are you not entertained!?

John Kirkcaldie, an absolute legend of New Zealand downhill racing joins us this week to discuss just about everything from his years of racing in the USA - The bikes, the contracts, the antics, we leave very few stones unturned! JK did it all, from his early days as a privateer on a Foes, to being part of the factory Schwinn power house team with Dave Cullinan, to his very successful years with Maxxis racing on the Norba circuit. Maxxis Tyres - New Zealand's tyre of choice! To see the full line up from Maxxis, check out www.marleen.co.nz/brands/maxxis.html If you enjoy the OTB Podcast and would like to support, please consider joining us on Patreon and help keep the podcast alive. This isn't even close to a job for us and is done for your enjoyment! https://www.patreon.com/TheOTBPodcast

The 2024 Whaka100 is in the bag and as you would expect, it didn't go smoothly for the boys. Who finished? Who didn't? Who cramped first? All in all though, another great event and as always, it didn't take long for everyone to decide they would be back again in 2025! If you enjoy the OTB Podcast and would like to support, please consider joining us on Patreon and help keep the podcast alive. This isn't even close to a job for us and is done for your enjoyment! https://www.patreon.com/TheOTBPodcast

Post race interviews from the Whaka 100, straight from the finish line featuring (in order): Craig Oliver Ben Oliver Matt Wilson Sammie Maxwell Jesse Cseh Jon Odams Katy Winton Gav MyRide Welly McCarthy Lester Perry

The Whaka 100 is just a few days away so the boys get together to discuss how the preparation is going, weather chat, tyre choices, fueling (aka. how many gels will KB consume), nang chat and more. Excuse some of the dodgy audio, its worth pushing through! If you enjoy the OTB Podcast and would like to support, please consider joining us on Patreon and help keep the podcast alive. This isn't even close to a job for us and is done for your enjoyment! https://www.patreon.com/TheOTBPodcast

Conor Macfarlane joins us this week, fresh off the plane from Red Bull Rampage where he was digging for Tom Isted. We dive into Conor's history at the event both competing and digging, how lines are chosen, the gruelling schedule of 12 hour days on the mountain and of course it wouldn't be complete without discussing the judging! If you enjoy the OTB Podcast and would like to support, please consider joining us on Patreon and help keep the podcast alive. This isn't even close to a job for us and is done for your enjoyment! https://www.patreon.com/TheOTBPodcast

This week I'm joined by Sean 'Griz' McClendon, a veteran of the downhill scene in the USA and current commentator of the Pro Downhill Series - We catch up to talk about why the sport needs a strong series in the USA and what this could potentially do for the racers who are trying to make it as a professional. The downhill talent in the US is maybe at all time high and now is the chance for the Pro Downhill Series to capitalise as the World Cup series faces so many questions around its future for the privateers and "non-factory" teams. With Clay Harper spearheading the Pro Downhill Series, the man behind the US Open of Downhill, now is the time for the US to rise again and provide a home for worlds best racers. Keep your eyes peeled as Sean and I continue to to expand on our USDH series of episodes!

We're a day late and a buck short but we've finally managed to get our Mt Sainte Anne World Cup DH final recap together and man what a race! The story lines from Lachie Stevens-Mcnabb being a whisker off the win, to Erice van Leuven wrapping up an incredible junior career with another win, but ultimately it was the GOAT retiring that stole the show - can you believe Greg Minnaar actually just raced his last race ever? Its been a great season with plenty to talk about, but stay tuned because theres plenty more episodes to come! If you enjoy the OTB Podcast and would like to support, please consider joining us on Patreon and help keep the podcast alive. This isn't even close to a job for us and is done for your enjoyment! https://www.patreon.com/TheOTBPodcast

This week, we’re joined by none other than Sam Hill himself! A man who needs no introduction, Sam boasts an unparalleled career with five Downhill World Championships, two World Cup Downhill titles, and three Enduro World Series titles, solidifying his legacy as one of the greatest in the sport. Sam joins us to discuss what he’s been up to in 2024, including his new business venture, Sam Hill Signature Trail, and The Foes Project. We also get his thoughts on the current state of World Cup Downhill racing, and take a trip down memory lane to revisit some of his favorite bikes and tracks from over the years. For more details on his latest business venture, visit https://samhillsignaturetrail.com.au.

Katy Winton joins us in the hot seat this week to talk all things bikes! Katy is an absolute ripper on a bike and has just migrated back to NZ for the foreseeable future, first up on the hit list for her is the Whaka 100 in Rotorua!

Merch, team rumours, LOI's, RFP's, ROI's, LOL's and more. Join the boys as we dive into the Loudenvielle World Cup Downhill, who would most likely be a drug dealer on track walk, team rumours for 2025 and more!